Editorial

An Open Forum Discussion: The Rise of Gun Violence That Is Plaguing Our Youth, Our Community, Our City

An Open Forum Discussion: The Rise of Gun Violence That Is Plaguing Our Youth, Our Community, Our City.
July 9, 2016 11:00am to 5:00pm
West Humber Collegiate Institute, 1675 Martin Grove Road, Toronto, ON. M9V 3S3.

no-gun-violence1-672x372Gun Violence is much more than just a community issue, it is a public health issue that requires complex strategizes to reduce firearm violence. A public health approach involves three elements: (1) a focus on prevention, (2) a focus on scientific methodology to identify risk and patterns, and (3) multidisciplinary collaboration to address the issue The ecological framework, a tool used in both criminology and public health, may further guide the analysis of potential interventions to achieve the necessary scale to prevent or reduce firearm violence. The sheer number of firearm-related injuries and fatalities, coupled with the broad range of settings and circumstances under which firearm violence can occur; requires a multidimensional approach based on the interrelation among individual characteristics, family history and dynamics, community context and gun availability, and national or international influences.

In the past, responses to firearm violence typically have been based in the criminal justice system, which is crucial to public safety, but a more comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach is necessary to reduce the burden of firearm-related violence on individuals, families, communities, and general society both domestically and internationally.

We encourage all politicians, community advocates, activists youth leaders, organizers, community members, and our youth to collaborate in our forum to discuss the next steps in moving forward with our stance against the violence that is shattering our communities. Together we can formulate our preventative measure strategy and make recommendations for economical investments and advancements of our communities.

stop the violenceHosted by: Princess Boucher, Sharon Joseph, Dewitt Lee, Pastor Keaton Austin and Spider Chuck Jones.

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